Coronavirus

[Twoapenny]

Just been announced that we have the highest death toll in Europe, currently standing at 32,000.  Reports are going round on Twitter than there are an additional 15,000 deaths more than would be normal for this time of year that have not yet been linked to Covid, for a number of reasons.  By my rough maths if our death rate were the same as New Zealand's we'd have lost less then 300.

[Hopalong]

I hear you, Tupp.
The ignorance + aggression going on here is very difficult to stare at. Protestors exhibiting defiance (of what? an invisible virus?) are marching in cities with automatic weapons! Like that's going to get them their jobs back, or revitalize industry.

Oh good, you big brave macho person. You can shoot Covid-19 and be my hero!

My heart does break for those unemployed and desperate. I think we are headed for another Great Depression here. If we had a functioning government under a sane leader with a pollen fleck of ethics, the desperation would be reduced. I do understand how irrational people are when they think something is political or tribal when it's mostly not, and they know no other real word than "blame." We're one tribe now, as we all have the same risk, and the only answer is to help each other, as long as it lasts. Small ways, big ways, we just do what we can and endure.

It's tragic, the degree to which mistrust in politicians has become mistrust of all institutions, because that's not rational either, and there are so many scientists and doctors and public health experts --even some politicians like our good governors--trying their damndest to save more people. But you can't do what you can't do.

It's as though the ignoramuses are angry at bureaucrats for not knowing how to make a New Virus the Human Species Has No Immunity To, go away. Right now. It makes sense to be enraged when selfish power-grabbing politicians or profit-focused wealthy don't prepare or care who dies. That's true of our president and his evil party, imo.

But in general? The systems have failed most where people have poor educations, choose tribalism over knowledge and humanity, confuse financial success with righteousness, and are more entertained by finding blame and conspiracies than by finding solutions.

Back to the simplicity stuff. What we can control and what we can't. Dehydrating veggies and fruit to store. Buying rice and beans. Living minimally as we can. It's going to be a while, and all I can do is turn back to Silver Linings for hope and comfort. It does get harder while surges are still going on.

I'm expecting this greatly reduced way of being will last a year or more, and am already thinking about how to cope during winter. During spring-summer-fall, I can meet friends outdoors, and that's a sanity saver. But winter will be a new challenge.

hugs and comfort,
Hops

[Twoapenny]

Nodding all the way through, Hopsie, particularly with regard to winter.  I had a flash today of endless days of little daylight and even less sunshine and just shuddered.  There are tough times coming, that's for sure.

I think part of the problem, here at least, is that we've been sold a lifestyle for so long.  You can buy everything, literally, often for less than it would cost you to make it, and when you've finished with it you can just chuck it in the bin.  We're used to thrift because we've been on a low income for so long but I know a lot of people who aren't and they are finding it very difficult to put together meals from what they can get and avoid not just popping to the shop whenever they want to or going out to eat when they don't want to cook.  There's an expectation to look to the government to sort things out, understandably, and it's so bad here, they're not even quoting their own numbers accurately.  Literally can't read off a sheet of paper.  The Health Secretary a couple of days ago insisted a newspaper apologised for quoting inaccurate information about healthcare advice for older people.  It's literally been quoted of the government's own website - and this is the guy that is responsible for putting that healthcare advice together.  You really couldn't make it up.  And yes, a lot of arguing is going on about who's fault it is, who should pay for it all, who should change the way they do things so that it can't happen again and so on.  You don't stand in a burning building discussing the cause of the fire, you know?  Sigh.

There are pockets of goodness.  The nice man collected my son's meds again today and bought him some sweets, so kind.  Lots of people are volunteering, making face masks, collecting toys for kids in temporary accommodation but yep, our economy was in bad shape anyway and this has just ripped the bottom of it out completely.  And they're still going ahead with Brexit, despite every expert going telling them to delay and the EU themselves saying they're happy to extend the process so we can delay.  We've already spent more leaving than we did while we were in it and we're still not out - there's still not even a plan in place.  It's just madness all around and all for some sense of sovereignty or national pride, apparently.  I have never felt less 'patriotic' in my life.  They're not even taking the elderly in to hospital, they're all being left to die in the care homes, often without pain relief morphine stocks are low, apparently.  It's honestly just terrifying and incredibly sad in equal measure.

But - the positives - son and I will work at being as self sufficient and self contained as we can and we'll keep connecting with good folk as often as possible.  I'm not sure there's much else any of us can do at the minute? xx

[Hopalong]

You don't stand in a burning building discussing the cause of the fire, you know?

Yes, I know. So many do know (a silver thread)....

To me I think it's telling that folks who won't wear masks often express their righteous appeals to FREEDOMMMM!

It's true that most people can remain safe from the virus.  It's also true that those who do wear masks and keep to social distancing, are more likely to save others' lives by doing so.

So, it's actually not just about my precious individual freedoms. It's about being part of the human community and caring what happens to us all. Not being okay with the suffering. Maybe the generation that once sacrificed for all, would be dismayed by the self-absorption of those who've never been asked (much less inspired) to be focused on ALL, than on MY PARTICULAR TRIBE.

It's hard to contemplate those ethical dividing lines, but the virus doesn't see them.

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

That's what I've been grumbling about Hopsie - life for us at the moment isn't that different to normal because for us, the Covid situation is quite similar to our normal life - ongoing, daily health issues, not being able to socialise, not being able to go out to work, having to avoid certain situations and people and so on.  We are going out a bit less than usual now, but not an awful lot as we didn't go out much anyway, and when we did it was stressful - because son's health problems need to be managed all the time, every day.  They're not potentially fatal like Covid is but they're very real, very present and very damaging if not addressed and properly managed.  The way I see it is that the general population is being asked to live the way that millions of sick and disabled people already live, temporarily, and some are happily and willingly doing it, even though it's hard.  But some are really not happy about it and yes, are talking about their freedoms with no regard for the freedoms of people with pre-existing conditions who, quite honestly, are looking at possibly a year, maybe longer, of having to shield.  I'm adjusting my mindset to two years of living like this now.  I think it unlikely they'll have a vaccine any time soon and if they do, I'd still want it to be in general use for a good while before son has it as it won't be tested on people with an atypical neurological set up, for obvious reasons.  So I'd want more data and information on it before he has it in case there's any risk of it exacerbating his existing problems.  It's going to be a very long haul for us and at the end of it - we'll just go back to being skint and staying in all the time, unless there is a big shift in society's attitudes to everything and the focus moves to quality of life for all people, not just those who are fit, healthy and wealthy.  I'm trying to channel constructive attitudes and actions, I think - not Pollyanna positive because it annoys me, but useful things I can think, say or do to improve our situation and get us through this as best we can.

[Hopalong]

Preach, Tupp!

I have been rattled by how silkily some have discussed "necessary deaths," elders sacrificing themselves for the good of the economy, etc. Oh, the irony. Are they pro-life or aren't they? Do all lives matter, or is it just that some lives don't?

Okay, time to get off my soapbox. I want to have a positive day too, and I'll remember your example.

I think you and son will be sitting on the beach, healthy, happy and wise -- not that terribly long from now. I do agree the vaccine will take that kind of time. I've accepted the idea of being 90% at home that long, too. There may be times when it's harder but I think the gifts are still within it. Especially if I begin to write seriously again. Some writers are desperate for this kind of quiet time; I don't want to waste it.

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

Preach, Tupp!

I have been rattled by how silkily some have discussed "necessary deaths," elders sacrificing themselves for the good of the economy, etc. Oh, the irony. Are they pro-life or aren't they? Do all lives matter, or is it just that some lives don't?

Okay, time to get off my soapbox. I want to have a positive day too, and I'll remember your example.

I think you and son will be sitting on the beach, healthy, happy and wise -- not that terribly long from now. I do agree the vaccine will take that kind of time. I've accepted the idea of being 90% at home that long, too. There may be times when it's harder but I think the gifts are still within it. Especially if I begin to write seriously again. Some writers are desperate for this kind of quiet time; I don't want to waste it.

hugs
Hops

The time is an enormous gift for us as well, Hospie, and I am trying to use it wisely, even if wise use means feet up and watching a film.  I hope your writing becomes a new habit you can stick to xx

[Twoapenny]

Well, bejesus.  Our supermarket delivery was short of a few things and our fresh stuff wasn't particularly fresh (same thing happened last week) so I had to go out and went to our local supermarket (which isn't the one we get a delivery from) to get some fresh bits for dinner.  Only needed a few items so didn't think much of it, to be honest.  It was truly scary.  Most people are ignoring social distancing, there are one way systems in place in the shop that aren't being adhered to, people are standing around in aisles chatting, wandering about talking on their phones, browsing through magazines, plants and holiday clothes.  There's no enforcement by the staff; they're making people queue two metres apart before they come in but that seems pointless to me if it's not enforced inside either.  For the first time in twenty odd years I found I wanted a cigarette when I came out.  Genuinely haven't wanted to smoke for a very long time but it was scary.  There's just no way this is being contained and I feel so bad for the sick and elderly who are going to suffer the most because of this.

[Hopalong]

Yikes, Tupp.

Fwiw, I decided at the beginning that I would stock up on CANNED fruits and CANNED vegetables mostly. Some frozen too. Dried beans. Rice. The basics. I can still get fresh now and then but mostly in sizes too large to make sense.

I have sooooo many friends who think they MUST have fresh veggies. Because they are gourmet cooks and those taste better. I like/prefer them too. But it's the whole, is this a want or a need? Like for you, frugality (and a parent who survived intense poverty in a family with 8 children through the Great Depression I) has been a teacher. Working in nutrition writing, I did learn that nutrient-wise, canned is nearly as good and frozen IS as good, even though the tastes are uninspiring. I've frozen liquid eggs/egg whites in cartons. I even know that if it were just to stay nourished, things like powdered milk and powdered whey protein exist, all of which can be stirred into oatmeal if nothing more. I ordered dehydrated blueberries too, early on.

I think a lot of people will have to give up the foodie thing. It's amazing what risks they'll take to ensure that their recipes and diets and everything remain the same. And I notice often that some will say, given a choice between a fresh something they love versus a canned or frozen version, oh I can't eat that (the latter). Can't?

M's a prime example, and I can't lecture with any gravitas (though I just tried) because I'm eating over there two or three times a week!

I just feel really sad that some people crowding into shops for inessential gourmet bits and bobs or a whole lot of other inessential things will sicken other people or get sick themselves. It's sad.

It's like watching this country as a huge organism that has a virus itself, a form of delusion, that literally affects the ability to reason. Heartbreaking.

Okay, off again. (I also realize how ridiculously fortunate I am. Food and housing are safe for me. Our local cases are on the rise but NOTHING yet like what the UK, especially in cities, is going through.)

Stay safe, Tupp. You are a practical soul. I hope you can manage to avoid shopping soon. I know it's a lot harder on you because it may be difficult to feed son if he's very particular or his diet demands it. I hope he will understand if you must start making substitutions he's not wild about.

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

Unfortunately Hopsie it's not choices for son, his oral sensitivities and swallowing problems mean that an awful lot of foods (and many drinks as well) literally make him vomit so we're very restricted in that regard.  He mostly lives on eggs, potatoes and fish and not much else.  There's not much to be had in terms of tinned and frozen because it's what everybody's buying at the minute, plus we lack storage space (one cupboard and two drawers in the freezer - micro kitchen is not the word).  So it is literally getting in the bare essentials and not having much other choice because what I ordered didn't arrive and we've not got much else in.  A lot of people are having the same problem; I was just talking to a friend of mine whose son has similar problems and she's just chucked half their fresh food delivery in the bin because it's already going off (delivered last night).  It wouldn't be such an issue if other people took care but our esteemed PM is set to announce easing the lockdown on Monday so people are already behaving like that's happened, I think.  I'll try going first thing in the morning next time and see if that's quieter.  It's quiet late evening but of course not much in there because everyone else has been in all day xx

[Hopalong]

Damn. That is difficult, Tupp.
I knew his diet was particular but not the details.

I wonder if anybody at Dance Church might know of a way of getting access to a quarter of a co-op share, for regular eggs and potatoes?

It's probably less available where you are than here, surrounded by countryside.

Hope it goes more easily next time. It's a shame that for you for whom access is essential (no comparison to foodies or that I was rambling about) ... it's so difficult. And the minimal storage space you have is one more piece of the unfairness. Grrr.

Hugs and hope for help for you,
Hops

[Twoapenny]

Damn. That is difficult, Tupp.
I knew his diet was particular but not the details.

I wonder if anybody at Dance Church might know of a way of getting access to a quarter of a co-op share, for regular eggs and potatoes?

It's probably less available where you are than here, surrounded by countryside.

Hope it goes more easily next time. It's a shame that for you for whom access is essential (no comparison to foodies or that I was rambling about) ... it's so difficult. And the minimal storage space you have is one more piece of the unfairness. Grrr.

Hugs and hope for help for you,
Hops

Ah Dance Church is a two hour drive away so they're not close enough to do anything practical.  I think it's just the shortages in general making things difficult - delivery slots are very limited so we can only book one or two days before at most.  You're restricted to no more than 3 of each item (which makes stocking up harder) and you can only book once a week because they're so swamped at the moment (and this is for vulnerable customers, everyone else is being asked to do click and collect).  Then you only get told on the day if they haven't got something you ordered and I can't order anywhere else because nowhere's accepting new customers (again because it's so busy).  Then there are shortages in general - luckily I did have a bit of fish in the freezer as I'd bought some on special offer but there are shortages because the fishermen haven't been going out.  Potatoes aren't too bad, they just tend to have sold out by late evening.  Eggs we've been alright with, generally speaking, and then it's just bits for me.  I've got rice, pasta, lentils and that sort of thing but then it's having something to go with it as well.  It's just the logistics I think, just more complicated than it used to be and still haven't found a rhythm or a method that ticks all the boxes yet.  We'll get there eventually!  Still much more fortunate than a lot of people, I just wish the public information being given out was factually based and not constantly being played down.  The day we reached the giddy heights of highest death toll in Europe most of the papers printed a story about one of the science advisors being caught with his married lover on the front pages.  I know which of the two stories I think is more useful to people.  Anyway, I got enough in for dinner, we've had dinner now and son is upstairs with his belly full so we're all good xx

[Twoapenny]

Aw, well done for getting the form filled in, CB, those things are such big humps in the road but once you're over them they often aren't as bad as you think they will be.  I hope getting the health insurance is relatively straight forward for you.

Yep, food shopping has been crazy here since all this started, there was no plan in place and nothing was organised.  We were lucky that we had enough in for a while when it first started and I managed to get things we needed at the corner shop (little place that had just enough in to cover us for a couple of days).  But people panic bought like mad so the shops were empty really fast and you couldn't get an online delivery slot anywhere for love nor money.  The government sent out lists of people with disabilities and health problems to all the supermarkets and luckily we were on one so we got organised with that one supermarket but it means you can't get a supermarket delivery from anywhere else.  There are local shops doing deliveries but with the minimum spend at each one I would have to order a heap of stuff I don't need just to get one or two bits that I do. I've very little storage space so lots in the freezer and cupboards is difficult and son has his food issues which means substitutes for him is just no.  Even down to squash (I don't know if you call it that there - you know the juice drink that you dilute?  That's what I mean); there's only one he can drink that doesn't have an adverse effect on him because they put so much crap in things like that.  I put his vitamin supplements in with the juice so if there's no juice he doesn't get his vits because he can't manage them without the juice taste to cover them up.  He will drink water but not as much and if he gets dehydrated it increases his risk of a seizure.  His meds I put in chocolate soya milk (intolerant to dairy and he can't take the meds off a spoon because the taste makes him vomit).  So it's just all those multiple things around something as simple as ordering a couple of bottles of something and then they send me manky bananas and wrinkly oranges as well along with a bit of limp broccoli lol, I know lots of people are going without and we're lucky to have what we've got but you'd think they'd have sorted things out better than this.  Someone did point out to me that it's a Bank Holiday here tomorrow so that would be one reason for the shop being busy this afternoon.  We're good now until next week anyway so we'll be home, home, home and going nowhere else

Good luck with the cleaning, bed bugs would give me the heebie geebies as well!  Lol xx

[Twoapenny]

Okay I may have found a solution to the veggie and son friendly products problem; the local farm shop can't deliver, but I can either email an order to them and they will box up for me to collect (twice a week) or I can go there and hand someone the list at the door, they'll get everything and bring it out to me.  It's a bit further to walk so means leaving son home on his own for longer which I'm a bit nervous about but equally I am nervous about the close proximity to others at the supermarket so I think the farm shop is a better bet.  Between that and the supermarket delivery I should be able to get everything we need, I think, without having to go to the supermarket again (which will be a blessed relief).  Will have to do some meal planning over the weekend and then get a list to them on Monday, I think.

[sKePTiKal]

And life is going on like normal around here; cases are low - we're a very rural state of course; neighbors separated by miles in some cases - per testing, the negative cases outnumber the positive (and I know 4 were NYS campers that brought it with them) - and the recovered cases outnumber the positives. There have been 50-51 deaths out of 1.8 million people.

Governor has a common-sense plan for getting people back to work - phased in, so that things can be halted or reversed if there is a sudden spike in illnesses/pos tests. Hospitals and clinics are back to operation for the full range of issues again. But he didn't turn the state into ghost-towns in the first place. Our farmers, orchardists, construction trades were all considered "essential" - and so are the places that supply them.

Across the mountain, it's more urban - but even so, I saw plenty of people not masked. Even store employees. There's a higher percentage of masks there to be seen - but since a mask obliterates half the facial cues for interaction and communication, people are really "over" feeling unnecessarily isolated & divided.  It's very easy to misinterpret emotional information from just eyes above a mask.

Large urban areas are likely to be the last to finally get their caseloads down to a small, managable number. But that shouldn't prevent the people who AREN'T living in those areas to get back to production supplying the needs for those cities. And of course, as ever - people who want to continue to self-isolate, wear masks, maintain a bigger "personal space" - are always free to do so. There isn't the overarching public health concern about education, information or quarantine for healthy people instead of the smaller number of sick anymore. The state needs to withdraw back into it's regular boundaries and let individuals do as they like.

It's supposed to still be a free country, right?